HERE, reader, is a little picture of _one_ kind of "human nature," that,
while it will make you laugh, conveys at the same time a lesson not
unworthy of heed. The story is of a gentleman traveling through Canada
in the winter of 1839, who, after a long day's ride, stopped at a
roadside inn called the "Lion Tavern," where the contents of the stage
coach, numbering some nine persons, soon gathered round the cheerful
fire.
Among the occupants of the room was an ill-looking cur, who had shown
its wit by taking up its quarters in so comfortable an apartment. After
a few minutes the landlord entered, and observing the dog, remarked:
"Fine dog, that! is he yours, Sir?" appealing to one of the passengers.
"No, Sir."
"_Beautiful_ dog! _yours_, Sir?" addressing himself to a second.
"_No!_" was the blunt reply.
"Come here, Pup! Perhaps he is _yours_, Sir?"
"No!" was again the reply.
"Very sagacious animal! Belongs to YOU, I suppose, Sir?"
"No, he doesn't!"
"Then he is _yours_, and you have a treasure in him, Sir?" at the same
time throwing the animal a cracker.
"No, Sir, he is not!"
"Oh!" (_with a smile_) "he belongs to _you_, as a matter of course,
then?" addressing the last passenger.
"_Me!_ I wouldn't have him as a gift!"
"Then, you dirty, mean, contemptible whelp, get out!" And with that the
host gave him such a kick as sent him howling into the street, amidst
the roars of the company.
There was _one_ honest dog in that company, but the two-legged specimen
was a little "too sweet to be wholesome."